The Third Time

I find if I knit a pattern more than once, the second time through is usually faster.  And if it's the third time, I almost know the pattern by heart.

This is my mohair blob, a.k.a. Love Note.  Yes, this is my third time with this pattern.  I'm making a couple changes, but it's still moving along at a pretty good clip.  Yesterday I separated the body and sleeves so at least now the rounds are shorter.  

Knitting with mohair isn't really mindless, but there's a certain comfort in knowing the ins and outs of a pattern.  If nothing else, it gives me time to ponder new projects.

April has been an interminably long month for me - I thought it would never end.  Maybe it's the general sameness of every day that's finally caught up with me.  I'm welcoming a new month and am excited to turn the calendar page tomorrow.

This week's color inspiration comes from a May Day celebration several years ago.

Around and around the maypole.

What's New?

Colors, samples, yarn bases . . . What's new?  This is the most common question I get.  There are always new things in the works, but they take time.  And sometimes the "new thing" takes more time than anticipated.

Right now I'm working my way through a list of new colors.  These two were recently released.

Ginger and Pavement on Lillian.  Stay tuned . . . more new colors will hit the website soon.

The Birdwatcher KAL

I'm checking in with a quick update.  Next month I'm leading a          knit-along for The Birdwatcher.

Photo courtesy of Salt Yarn Studio

Salt Yarn Studio is hosting the KAL, and you'll find more information here.  Since this is a virtual KAL, you don't have to be local to the shop.  

I'll be sharing some tips and tricks for knitting this sleeveless top.  Plus you'll have an opportunity to hang out with other knitters.  I'm looking forward to it. 

Virtual Connecticut

This weekend I would have been on the road for Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival.

Instead there's a virtual version of the event happening over on Facebook.  Check it out for more information on participating vendors.

To celebrate the event, I'm offering free shipping all weekend.  No code needed.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Purply pink.

Just the Cast On

I'm cruising along with the little baby sweater and made good progress yesterday.  The sweater is knitting up so quickly that this morning I woke up with thoughts of my next new project.  Isn't that the way most knitters think?  Plotting the next project before the current one is even off the needles.

I didn't allow myself any knitting time on a new project today, but I did take a few minutes to get one up and running.  This was already in the queue, so it was easy to get it started.

Now that's out of my system, and it's back to the baby sweater.

For a Change

Last week I finished The Birdwatcher.  I wasn't able to get pictures before it went to its new temporary home at Salt Yarn Studio.  Those shots will have to wait for another day.

With one project off the needles, now I can focus on something new.

This is a sweater for a little one.  Most baby items are quick projects, and this one won't take much time.  After working on several bigger projects, I'm enjoying the feeling of instant gratification.

On the Work Table

The recent flurry of dyeing has created a big pileup on the work table.

And there's more where this came from.  These skeins need labels before they can be released into the wild.  Sticking on labels is a pretty mindless, relaxing task.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon.

I knew Mother Nature was going to deposit one more snowstorm this season, and today was the day.  It's a bit of a sloppy mess, but I enjoyed the flakes on my morning walk along the Charles.  This week's color inspiration . . . 

Moody gray.

While the Pots Are On . . .

It's been a busy couple weeks of dyeing, and I have a schedule to keep.  Today I have just enough time for a short project update.

This is The Birdwatcher.  I'm about to join the shoulder seams on this cute little summer top.  There aren't any sleeves - just a simple armhole finish.  I'm thrilled with the way this project is coming together.  It'll be ready in no time for a quick bath and blocking.

LYS Day

I'm checking in with a quick calendar update.  Saturday is LYS Day.  Shops have adapted to the pandemic and created a variety of ways to shop including curbside pick up, in-store shopping and online orders.  I encourage everyone to support their local shop.

On Saturday I'll be at Salt Yarn Studio in the afternoon, 1:00 - 4:00.  Stop by if you're on the Cape.

I'll have a selection of yarn, knitting kits and new samples.  If the weather cooperates, you'll find me outside on the lawn.

Swatching

This morning I decided to mix things up a little.  Usually I dive right into dyeing and shipping orders, but today I started with some knitting time.  Let's face it.  Knitting is a relaxing way to ease into the day.  Plus I wanted to get a new project up and running.

First things first.  Swatching.

I love a good swatch and almost always knit one for a new project.  It takes a little extra effort, but in the long run, swatching saves me time and frustration.  I have to make this swatch a little bigger, but at least I got it started.  Now I'll be able to knit a few rows here and there in between everything else.  I'll be casting on in no time.

These Craspedia flowers recently caught my attention.  The flowers are commonly called woollyheads.  How cute is that!  They are this week's color inspiration.

  Bright yellow orbs.

Matching the Season

Like many knitters, the colors I work with often match the season.  OK, the grays I knit with all year long don't necessarily match the season, but they go with everything.

I've noticed a color shift with recent orders, and today my work table offers a glimpse of spring options.

Colors of the season.

Focus and Purpose

I'm always brainstorming new ideas . . . samples, colors, kits, bundles.  It's a good thing I did it a lot before the pandemic because now it's an essential survival tool.

One day last week I made a suggestion, and it was well received.  Now I need a new sample, and it comes with a tight deadline.  I love a good deadline - it gives me focus and purpose.  It's even more thrilling when the clock is ticking and I have a small window to pull it all together.  

I'm off and running.  This project will be my companion for the next week or so.

Twists and Turns

I like knitting socks because they can be my mindless, relaxing project.  My current pair has a few too many twists and turns to be effortless, but once I get past the heel, I'll be able to knit on autopilot.

Hattu Socks.  Right now I'm increasing to make the horizontal ribs, and they will form the instep.  I haven't figured out how everything comes together, and I'm not expending too much brain power sorting it out.  Instead I'm putting complete trust in the designer.

We know the drill for pandemic holidays, and it's another round of small-scale celebrations this weekend.  Cheers if you're celebrating.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Bright blue through bare trees.